Recommendation 18

There are currently 23 trials for e-scooter rentals in England but outside of these areas e-scooters are not legal on roads.44 Despite that, use of e-scooters has increased rapidly in recent years both within and beyond trial areas, sometimes with negative consequences, including safety, for other road users.45 We therefore asked witnesses about concerns among the public about the impact on safety of new forms of travel such as e-scooters. DfT told us that it recognised e-scooters were “potentially a fantastic addition to the suite of travel options that people have” and that a better legal framework for their use was required.46 We told DfT about areas where e-scooters are being used illegally beyond the trial areas and said that there is a need for greater clarity for the public over their use. DfT told us that when the trials end, in May 2024, it will need to undertake an assessment of how they went to inform the possible rollout of e-scooter rental schemes more widely and safely. DfT did not provide us with a timeframe on when a decision will be made on subsequent rollout and noted that Parliamentary time was required for a more comprehensive legal framework to be developed.47 38 ATE0007, Written evidence submitted by Leicester City Council; ATE0012, Written evidence submitted by Liverpool John Moores University; ATE0005, Written evidence submitted by London Cycling Campaign 39 ATE0007, Written Evidence submitted by Leicester City Council 40 ATE0005, Written evidence submitted by London Cycling Campaign 41 Qq 17, 18 42 Department for Transport, Highway Code – THINK!, accessed 29.08.2023 43 Department for Transport, Government re-launch THINK! campaign in continued drive to improve road safety, 3 August 2023 44 Qq 21, 23 45 Qq 64, 68 46 Qq 23, 24 47 Qq 64, 66, 67 Active travel in England 15 2 Working with others